Michael van Gerwen is back on top of the betting at the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, after he began his bid for a seventh double-start title by dispatching Josh Rock at Leicester's Morningside Arena on Tuesday.
The Dutch superstar has been cut from 7/2 into a 5/2 favourite with title sponsor BoyleSports, after losing just one leg in his demolition of World Youth Champion Rock.
Van Gerwen averaged almost 96 to complete a straight-sets victory, which sets up a second round clash against Chris Dobey, who won two sets in deciding legs to see off Belgian number one Dimitri Van den Bergh.
However, speaking to BoyleSports post-match, a confident Van Gerwen insisted it would take something special to stop him retaining his title in the East Midlands.
“The format gets longer and longer and it’s not going to do them [his opponents] any favours," declared Van Gerwen, who lifted his maiden PDC televised title at this event in 2012.
"Of course I have a tough opponent with Chris Dobey in the next round, but I have to believe in my own ability. That’s what I’m doing at the moment and maybe that’s why I’m playing this well.”
Luke Humphries has joined Michael Smith as joint third favourite at 5/1 from 8/1 after his victory over 2017 champion Daryl Gurney, which sets up a last 16 tie against debutant Luke Woodhouse.
Elsewhere, Peter Wright has been clipped into 16/1 from 20/1 following his routine win over Gabriel Clemens, and his reward is a meeting with Ryan Searle for a place in the last eight.
All the latest odds for the BoyleSports World Grand Prix 2023 can be found here.
BoyleSports World Grand Prix Outright
5/2 Michael van Gerwen
11/4 Gerwyn Price
5/1 Michael Smith
5/1 Luke Humphries
10/1 Gary Anderson
16/1 Peter Wright
25/1 Joe Cullen
28/1 Ross Smith
28/1 Chris Dobey
33/1 Stephen Bunting
33/1 Ryan Searle
40/1 bar
Odds correct at time of writing and courtesy www.boylesports.com.
Subject to fluctuation. +18 Bet Responsibly, BeGambleAware.org